Characteristics of the Buddha

The appearance and physical traits of the Buddha are known to be the physical characteristics of Gautam Buddha. Though there is no physical evidence of and the exact representations of the Buddha's physical traits, there are several Buddha statues and Buddha images which depict the physical traits of the Buddha. Representation of the Buddha in artistic form started to appear roughly around the 2nd century CE. Though the styles of these forms vary depending upon the region of origin and the culture, there are early discourses which describe the appearance of the Buddha. These discourses are believed to have served as a model for early depictions of the Buddha, particularly the 32 Lakshanas, or the 32 signs of a great man. These Lakshanas are described throughout the Pali canon. These discourses are believed to have formed the basis for early representations of the Buddha in various iconographies like Buddha statues and Buddha head statues. Similarly, these 32 major characteristics are also supplemented by 80 other characteristics.

There are few written and historical evidence of Buddha's actual physical appearance. But many assumptions have been made based on the tradition and the way he was brought up as a prince. As Khastriya by birth, he had military training while growing up. That may be a reason for the physical strength people claimed him having off. The Brahmin Sonadanda described The Buddha as handsome, good looking and pleasing to the eye, with the most beautiful complexion. In another scripture, the physical traits of the Buddha are depicted as "Marvellous, serene, radiant and having a clear complexion, just as the golden jujube is autumn is clear and radiant."

32 traits or Lakshanas of the Buddha

General characteristics of the Buddha are he had elongated body, long arms, long fingers and long hands. His face was elongated with a protruding head called the Ushnisha, well formed nose, Buddha’s ears were long, and hair was fine, black with soft curls. The eyes of the Buddha are claimed to have been wide and bluish in color.